
Toshiko Takaezu 1922–2011
Toshiko Takaezu, distinguished American ceramic artist and teacher, was born in Hawaii in 1922. She is celebrated as a driving force in the development of the modern ceramic art philosophy that seeks to elevate the product of a potter’s craft from utilitarian vessel to fine art.
The sixth of eleven children, Toshiko Takaezu (pronounced Toe-SHEE-ko Taka-YAY-zoo) was the daughter of Japanese immigrants who emigrated from Okinawa to Pekeekeo, Hawaii. Her art training began in the early 1940s with Saturday painting classes at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. During these early years, she worked with commercial ceramic firms producing press mold pieces. It was through this work that she met Claude Horan, founder of the ceramics program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. At Horan’s encouragement, Takaezu enrolled at the University – the first step in her formal artistic training.
In 1951, Takaezu was accepted to the prestigious Cranbrook Academy of the Arts in Bloomfield Hills, MI. In her third year, she accepted the position of teaching assistant to Finnish ceramic artist Maija Grotell. An excellent teacher with a knack for experimenting with glazes, Grotell had a profound influence on Takaezu’s work and encouraged her to find her own voice as an artist. After graduating, she went abroad in 1955 to explore her Japanese heritage, including the study of the tea ceremony and Zen Buddhism. While there, she studied the techniques and aesthetics of renowned artists Toyo Kaneshige and Yagi Kazuo, among others.
Auction Results Toshiko Takaezu

Toshiko Takaezu
Momo Form
estimate: $7,000–9,000
result: $30,000

Toshiko Takaezu
Ocean Edge Closed Form
estimate: $9,000–12,000
result: $20,000

Toshiko Takaezu
Small Moon Closed Form (with rattle)
estimate: $8,000–10,000
result: $17,500

Toshiko Takaezu
Garden Seat (with rattle)
estimate: $12,000–18,000
result: $12,500

Toshiko Takaezu
Closed Form
estimate: $8,000–10,000
result: $12,500

Toshiko Takaezu
Large form
estimate: $3,500–4,500
result: $7,500

Toshiko Takaezu
Closed Form vessels, set of three (with rattles)
estimate: $3,000–5,000
result: $6,875

Toshiko Takaezu
Fine and large cobalt sphere
estimate: $3,500–4,500
result: $5,000

Toshiko Takaezu
Closed Form (with rattle)
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $4,688

Toshiko Takaezu
Closed Form (with rattle)
estimate: $1,500–2,000
result: $4,688

Toshiko Takaezu
Closed Forms (with rattles), set of three
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $4,688

Toshiko Takaezu
Hanging Closed Form (with rattle)
estimate: $3,000–4,000
result: $4,375

Toshiko Takaezu
Closed Form
estimate: $900–1,400
result: $4,160

Toshiko Takaezu
Massive tall form
estimate: $4,500–6,500
result: $4,063

Toshiko Takaezu
Vase form
estimate: $900–1,400
result: $4,063

Toshiko Takaezu
Early vessel
estimate: $2,500–3,500
result: $4,063

Toshiko Takaezu
Closed Form
estimate: $1,000–1,500
result: $4,063

Toshiko Takaezu
Moonpot With Rattle
estimate: $1,250–1,750
result: $4,063

Toshiko Takaezu
Closed Form (with rattle)
estimate: $1,500–2,000
result: $3,750

Toshiko Takaezu
Celadon form
estimate: $1,250–1,750
result: $3,750

Toshiko Takaezu
Closed Form (with rattle)
estimate: $800–1,200
result: $3,500

Toshiko Takaezu
Large untitled form
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $3,500

Toshiko Takaezu
Closed Form
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $3,250

Toshiko Takaezu
Large untitled form
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $3,000